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Hello, I seem to have suffered fairly catastrophic DRC failure and I am looking for recommendations for specialists in the south of England or near to gloucestershire to estimate for the repair. Any recommendations that other people have used would be much appreciated.

KD56 RHK wrote:Hello, I seem to have suffered fairly catastrophic DRC failure and I am looking for recommendations for specialists in the south of England or near to gloucestershire to estimate for the repair. Any recommendations that other people have used would be much appreciated.

Sorry to hear. I had this about 6 months ago and ended up getting it replaced with Bilstein coilovers as was concerned that the next weakest part would fail. If it helps the guys at Unit 18 in Milton Keynes sorted mine out.

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Nightmare, it is a great system when it works but at the age the cars are now, keeping the DRC working is expensive.

If the hard metal pipework is original and unprotected with underseal they will likely need replacing as they corrode. You need to drop the rear subframe and fuel tank to do that.

Hard metal pipework, four shocks, new springs and four flexible hoses comes to around £5000 fitted at a specialist. If the two central control valves need replacing as well then that is an additional £2500.

Unit 20 and MRC are respected specialists with DRC charging tools but there are a few others around the country.

I am trying to decide to either go back to DRC from KW V3 coilovers or fit Ohlins TTX36 coilovers.

Have you not been happy with the coilovers?

Getting the same ride/handling balance will be a priority for me - I know that my pipework is starting to corrode a little.

12th wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:23 am

Have you not been happy with the coilovers?

Getting the same ride/handling balance will be a priority for me - I know that my pipework is starting to corrode a little.

I have the koni Shocks with h and r springs and the ride is pretty similar not as harsh as coilovers and a nice drop not too low

12th wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:23 am

Have you not been happy with the coilovers?

Getting the same ride/handling balance will be a priority for me - I know that my pipework is starting to corrode a little.

No, once you add uprated H&R arb's to combat the high speed body roll the ride is crashy. On a typical rough UK back road the car does not breathe and flow with the road at all. It is a good setup if the roads are smooth but for me it does not work on the roads around here.

Switching back to the standard front ARB and uprated 034 rear is a massive improvement. The car rides over rough tarmac so much better. There is less understeer and the car just feels nicer to drive.

You can tell that the back end is a bit stiffer because of the thicker arb though, the front will absorb the bump and then you feel the rear sort of shimmy through.

It is much, much better but not convinced that it is superior to a properly functioning DRC system.

My KW V3 kit is coming up for 6 years old and 50,000 miles so it is likely not at its best which has to be taken into account as well. I really need to test drive a car with working DRC to be sure.

Ohlins TTX kit is apparently better than a working DRC SS+ setup. The only thing that concerns me (apart from the price) is corrosion of the struts due to U.K. road salt.

If your in Gloucestershire, then try turner race developments near Standish.
Dialynx or re performance are Swindon/Wiltshire

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=125988

Check out my previous thread on this. May help you decide what to do. I certainly think I made the right decision sticking with the DRC.

I have H&R coilovers with H&R anti roll bars front and rear, body roll is next to nothing now and still rides comfortably

Mat20vt wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 30, 2019 6:02 pm

If your in Gloucestershire, then try turner race developments near Standish.
Dialynx or re performance are Swindon/Wiltshire

2nd vote for TRD - been going to them for years.

H&R anti roll bars or any other brand of ARB have no affect on comfort , they are designed to limit body roll in aggressive cornering . the most cost effective route changing out the Achilles heal DRC system is the RS4 custom KONI shock set up which we supply tuned to suit the RS 4 , they give an arguably better handling and more comfortable package than the Audi DRC system at a fraction of the cost .
We have done plenty of these and not one bad comment so far , they are dual tube shocks like the original so they offer more comfort than the MONO tube Bilstein coil overs , The kit also maintains standard ride height unlike the Coil over kits which go low and lower range approx 30 to 50 mm . these kinds of drops will make the ride firmer and speed humps become a problem and need to be approached with absolute caution.
These parts are simple to fit and we supply basic instructions for a pro mechanic or DIY installation .

Camspec in Crawley can work on and recharge DRC


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KD56 RHK wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2019 4:51 pm

Hello, I seem to have suffered fairly catastrophic DRC failure and I am looking for recommendations for specialists in the south of England or near to gloucestershire to estimate for the repair. Any recommendations that other people have used would be much appreciated.

Sorry to hear that. I would second MRC in Banbury. Would also recommend Audi VW Specialist Centre based in Harrow. Very decent no-nonsense and efficient set up. I’ve had my DRC repaired there (springs replacement, system re-gassed). Am still loving the original DRC ride and pushing 110k miles now. Coincidentally my reg is almost identical to yours, only the last 2 letters are different.

Feel your pain, mine went before Christmas.

Already have H&R springs and like the way it sits so obvious choice for me is going with Koni shocks from Shockerboy,
Just waiting on stock.

Good luck

GaryA wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2020 7:23 pm

Feel your pain, mine went before Christmas.

Already have H&R springs and like the way it sits so obvious choice for me is going with Koni shocks from Shockerboy,
Just waiting on stock.

Good luck

Same set up I have h and r with the koni Shocks very happy with it